Go for Greener Malaysia

To preserve the country's natural resources promised that it will enact a stricter and updated laws to prevent illegal logging activities in important and strategic conservation areas

To undertake preservation and reforestation programmes, and enhance education programmes to inculcate appreciation of the environment

To give financial incentives to commercial and private premises to invest in renewable green energy resources such as biomass and solar

To create more green lungs in major cities, and an increase in its allocations to revitalize rivers and streams, besides enacting stricter laws and by-laws

Above are among the Barisan Nasional (BN) 13th General Election manifesto which was launched by its chairman, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

To ensure the sustainability of our environment and its resources is very crucial.

The BN government previously has put many efforts in order to protect our environment and its resources by setting up the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation towards research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Besides that, the establishment of Green Technology Financing Scheme worth RM3.5 billion helps to provide soft loans to companies which contribute to the production and utilization of green technology-based products.

River of Life project which worth RM500 million was set up to transform the Klang River into a vibrant and livable waterfront with high economic value.

The BN government through its respective agencies and department has put up various efforts to sustain the environment and increase environmental awareness among the citizens.

Protecting the environment is a policy to make quality of life better for this and the next generation of humans. 

Everyone must persevere in upholding this great task for a better environment and at the same time recognize the need to improve knowledge, value, skills and tools to meet environmental challenges.

We in Malaysia are very fortunate because we are blessed with beautiful environment and bestowed with abundant natural resources.

Because of our rich biological wealth, the country’s economic growth and socio economic development have continued to depend largely on the utilization of its vast natural resources.

Therefore, it is time we realize that when the environment is at stake, it is best to put our political differences aside and work together for a lasting solution. Our environment is our heritage.

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Malaysia to support Earth Hour campaign again!

 

World Wide Fund for Nature-Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) executive director and chief executive officer Datuk Dr Dionysius Sharma said Malaysia will be joining the Earth Hour campaign on March 23, 2013. This is the third time for Malaysia to join this campaign and the switching off of non-essential lights will begin at 8.30pm.

Sharma said  WWF-Malaysia, with cooperation from Universal Music Malaysia, Sunway Pyramid and DiGi Telecommunication Sdn Bhd, will organise an Earth Hour 2013 Band Contest to get more of the younger generation participation. This is an effort to bring environmental awareness through music and the five finalist bands that have the most public votes in the contest will have the opportunity to perform on the March 23 Earth Hour programme at Sunway Pyramid. He hoped this year would see an increase in participation, especially among business communities and the younger generation.

Earth Hour, a global environmental initiative which kicked off in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, is reported to be "the world's largest campaign for the planet", with more than 7,000 cities and towns across 152 countries and territories participating in the annual programme.

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Green Technology Financing Loans to Hit RM1.5 Billion in 2013

Green technology (example)

Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Seri Peter Chin has said that he expects loans to businesses under the Government's Green Technology Financing scheme to reach RM1.5 billion this coming year.

It is a sign that businesses themselves or the lenders and the agencies that put companies in touch with such funding are becoming more used to green models.

"After a series of dialogues with Bank Negara and my agencies, bankers are becoming more familiar and comfortable about funding green businesses," he said.

"Banks are approving green loans a lot faster, from over a year to two months."

Indeed, the Malaysia Green Technology Corporation has said that it expects up to 40 projects to be approved by financial institutions under this year, compared to the 25 projects that were approved over the last 12 months with a total value of RM300 million.

The scheme allows companies using green technology to obtain soft loans with a 2 per cent government subsidy of the interest rate and a 60 per cent guarantee on the amount of financing. Under the scheme, between RM10 million and RM50 million is allocated for a project, depending on the criteria.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced during the tabling of the 2013 Budget that the fund will be increased by RM2 billion and the deadline for applications extended another three years to 31 December 2015.

The aim of the move is to further boost the production and utilisation of green technology based products.

The government introduced the Green Technology Financing Scheme fund during the 2010 Budget with initial funding of RM1.5 billion.

It is envisaged to be one of the emerging drivers of economic growth for our country and is aimed squarely at aimed at achieving a sustainable rate of development that adheres to proper environmental standards.

Recently the chief operating officer of the US Green Building Council and president of the Green Building Certification Institute Mahesh Ramanujam praised Malaysia for the speed it had adapted to green technology.

"Malaysia is uniquely poised right now for major growth in green technology as the world wakes up to it and embraces the use of green products," he said.

"The right players are in Malaysia and it's just a matter of fueling growth and bringing start-up and emerging technologies to the table."

Malaysia's various green industries are already worth in the region of RM67 billion and, between 2010 and 2011, grew by some six per cent – far outstripping the global growth-rate for the green sector.

It is hoped that by 2020 as much as RM70 billion can be generated in terms of economic activity associated with renewable energy, supporting some 50,000 jobs.

Source: The Choice

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Malaysia picked to host world’s biggest sustainable building event with launch of Ecobuild Southeast Asia

UBM Built Environment, organisers of the world’s leading event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment, is extending its international reach to Southeast Asia with the launch of Ecobuild Southeast Asia.

Officially supported by the Ministry of Works, the Malaysian Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water and hosted by CIDB Malaysia (Construction Industry Development Board), Ecobuild Southeast Asia will be the flagship event for the construction and building industry in Malaysia and the region. The event will bring together senior government officials, developers, architects, consultants, contractors and planners from across the region to network and keep abreast of the latest industry developments.

Taking place from 17th – 19th September 2013 at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Ecobuild Southeast Asia will be strategically co-located with Greenbuild Asia; Southeast Asia’s biggest event serving the local sustainable building community. The last event in Kuala Lumpur welcomed over 11,000 trade buyers and 450 exhibiting companies from 32 countries.

Bringing global green technology innovation to the Southeast Asian sustainable construction market, UBM will build upon its established relationships to draw many of the world’s most highly regarded low carbon technology and material suppliers to the event.

Southeast Asia represents a highly profitable market and is expected to be among the world’s 10 largest economies and fourth largest in Asia by 2020. Bolstered investment in infrastructure and sustainable development and the introduction of numerous green incentives to lower carbon emissions, has unveiled new opportunities for international and local companies looking for new ventures in the region.

Eliane van Doorn, International Director, UBM Built Environment said: “We have selected Malaysia from a list of countries in the region due to the invitation and support extended to us from the Construction Industry Development Board and initiatives taken by Malaysian Government in promoting green technology. We are excited about the collaboration opportunities the show is set to provide between international suppliers, the government and commercial buyers in Malaysia and the Southeast Asia region. Our aim with Ecobuild Southeast Asia is to provide a regionally and internationally respected event to attract international leaders and suppliers to the region. Southeast Asia offers suppliers unparalleled business opportunities and we’re delighted to be able to facilitate a route into this highly profitable market.”

Held at London’s ExCeL, Ecobuild is the world’s leading event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment. The 2012 event in March brought together more than 57,000 industry professionals who explored the products, services and innovations from over 1,500 exhibitors

Ecobuild Southeast Asia forms part of UBM’s strategy to provide a hub for the international sustainable construction markets round the world including dedicated events across India, China and now Malaysia.

Source : http://thegreenreporter.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/malaysia-picked-to-host-worlds-biggest-sustainable-building-event-with-launch-of-ecobuild-southeast-asia/#more-615

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Keeping Malaysia clean and green

The 1Malaysia Green, 1Malaysia Clean Campaign or 1MG1MC, was launched on July 18, 2010 by Minister of Tourism, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. A brilliant and innovative tourism campaign, the 1MG1MC aims to instil a cleanliness mindset among Malaysians, particularly at tourist spots.

It is also to create an awareness of the importance of keeping tourist spots clean and to inculcate in the mind of Malaysians the importance of preserving the beauty and cleanliness of the country.

Through campaigns such as 1Malaysia Green, 1Malaysia Clean, the Ministry of Tourism believes it will help the ministry to answer the call by the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

The government aims to improve the tourism industry which would provide 2.7 million jobs in the industry by 2015.

In ensuring the success of the 1Malaysia Green, 1Malaysia Clean campaign, the Ministry of Tourism has been working closely with four other ministries – Ministry of housing and Local Government, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of education and Ministry of Nature Resources and environment.

Apart from collaborating with the ministries, the campaign has also involved several non-governmental organisations, the private sector, Kelab Pelacongan Pelajar and Kuala Lumpur City hall to participate in some of the campaign programmes.

To enhance the success of the campaign, the Ministry of Tourism has also launched the www. 1malaysiagreenandclean. com.my website which is an integral part of the campaign. It highlights and addresses issues pertaining to clean or dirty tourist spots.

The website enables the public and tourists to upload pictures of any spots, especially tourist areas which are clean or those that need upkeeping.

Among the activities and programmes under the 1Malaysia Green and 1Malaysia Clean campaign are:

* Plan A Tree project at homestays registered with the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia. This project is to encourage foreign tourists to plant a tree at the homestay before leaving for their country.

* “Gotong-royong” activities at tourist spots. l Collaborating with food and drinks associations and hawkers to implement a “Cleanest hawker Stall” competition.

* Collaborating with taxi associations and organising a “Cleanest Taxi” contest and ensuring knowledgeable and respectable drivers.

* Organising a “Cleanest Mall” competition. l Collaboration with Giant hypermarket to place the 1Malaysia Green, 1Malaysia Clean campaign logo on Giant shopping bags.

* A special TV programme for children that will feature “Mr Bin” to emphasise to children the importance of keeping the environment clean.

* Collaborating with print and electronic media to publicise the “1Malaysia Green, 1Malaysia Clean” campaign.

* Collaborating with highway companies to distribute 1Malaysia Green, 1Malaysia Clean stickers at selected toll plazas and R&R (rest and relax) areas to increase awareness of the campaign.

* Organising a “Spot the ‘1Malaysia Green, 1Malaysia Clean’ car stickers” competition.

Source: http://kepkas.sabah.gov.my/2012/01/13/keeping-malaysia-green-and-clean/

Green Sabah says: The 1Malaysia Green, 1Malaysia Clean Campaign (1MG1MC) is a brilliant effort in implementing cleanliness awareness among Malaysians, especially in places that a tourist attraction. This campaign not only requires the cooperation of certain bodies, but it is everyone's responsibility to ensure the success of this campaign. Hopefully this campaign will show positive results and boost the tourism industry in our country.

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